Archive for the Events Category

Accessible Wales hosting a virtual conference on post COVID and the effects on Disabled People

Accessible Wales hosting a virtual conference on post COVID and the effects on Disabled People

International Day of Disabled Persons

A Virtual Conference on Post COVID and the effects on Disabled People

Impact of COVID on the Mental Health of Disabled People Event Logo

In 1992 the United Nations convened the annual International Day of Disabled People to be held annually on 3rd December.  This year’s day has a goal of spreading the awareness of invisible disabilities as well as the impact that COVID-19 has had on mental health.

Accessible Wales will be hosting a virtual conference looking at post COVID and the effects on Disabled People, the event is free, tickets can be obtained from our Eventbrite page.

As well as this we were thinking that maybe we could help a little in everyone’s lives. So #HelpForHealth is encouraging people to just look out for each other a little bit more.  These small gestures could be a FaceTime call to a family member or sending a letter to a friend.  We’ve all been through a rough couple of years and its made an impact on our mental health, lets pull together, share our ideas, spread the hashtag and make a difference.

#HelpForHealth Logo

Keep a watch out as we publish our list of guest speakers and an order of events for the day.

If you would like more information about this event, or find out about the services we offer at Accessible Wales give us a call on 01685 810432Telephone Icon or email info@accessible.wales

#HelpForHealth

COVID-19 National Day of Reflection

COVID-19 National Day of Reflection

COVID-19 National Day of Reflection

On 23rd March we will be turning the Social Media channels for both Accessible Wales and Accessible News yellow to reflect on the year that has passed since the national lockdown.
 
The last year has seen utter devastation unfold in ways that the world was not prepared for. However, it is important to remember that from the darkness comes light; new friendships were born, a respect for our much loved NHS was strengthened and new challenges were met.
 
Join us by lighting a candle, wearing yellow or placing a yellow light on your doorstep, alternatively you can put a yellow heart in your window.
Accessible Wales yellow logo

Online Town Centre Accessibility Forum – Aberdare

Online Town Centre Accessibility Forum – Aberdare

Let’s Talk Access

Statue of Caradog surrounded by new COVID19 barriers.
Statue of Caradog surrounded by new COVID19 barriers.

There have been many stories in the media about the potential decline in the town centres throughout the country.  With the current COVID19 restrictions in place people are shopping more online and out of town for convenience and personal safety.

In 2007 Accessible Wales worked with Rhondda Cynon Taff local authority and traders in Mountain Ash to carry out a “Town Centre Access Improvement Project”.  During this project the local authority commissioned Accessible Wales to carry out access audits for those businesses to help them to improve their access for disabled people.

We are now proposing to work with businesses in the eight town centres to help improve access for disabled people.  Starting with an online forum ror businesses based in Aberdare on Thursday 5th November at 10am for more information you can download the flyer here.

Following on from this meeting more events will be scheduled for businesses in Ferndale, Llantrisant, Mountain Ash, Pontypridd, Porth, Tonypandy, Treorchy.  The project will then be evaluated and before rolling out to other local authorities.

This forum will be an opportunity to discuss what each business thinks are the key access issues in their area, and any potential access issues their business may have.

Principal Consultant Richard Jones working in Accessible Wales before lockdown
Principal Consultant Richard Jones working in Accessible Wales before lockdown restrictions

Principal Consultant Richard Jones says:

This is a great opportunity to engage with local businesses in the town centre to help improve access for disabled people.  The online forum will be an independent vehicle to help start to make access improvements in Aberdare, with a view to it being rolled out to the other town centre and beyond.

Now more than ever it is important for small local businesses to do as much as they can to keep their doors open.  We want to do as much as we can to help.

Market Street, Aberdare
Market Street, Aberdare

If you would like to know more about the services we offer please either get in touch with us via 01685 810432Telephone Icon or email info@accessible.wales.

Accessible Wales is 13 years old today!

Accessible Wales is 13 years old today!

Accessible Wales is 13 years old today!

We opened thirteen years ago today, with a launch in the Glancynon supported by Cymru Health Care.  We start our fourteenth year in very different circumstances, the world certainly isn’t the same as it was in 2007.

With the current Coronavirus restrictions in place we sadly can’t celebrate with any form of event but when the time is right we’ll pop a cork or two.

Richard Jones and Wynne Williams (Cymru Healthcare) joined by Alun Evans and Roy Noble at the Launch of Accessible Wales
Richard Jones and Wynne Williams (Cymru Healthcare) joined by Alun Evans and Roy Noble at the Launch of Accessible Wales

For now, we’re proud to announce that we will be launching our online training range in October starting with our online Disability Awareness training course.  While we’re still working on developing these packages, more will be launched in the coming weeks.

Principal Consultant and company founder Richard Jones would like to thank all those who have supported the company in the last thirteen years.  Thanks go to the clients we’ve worked with, partner organisations and to all our friends for helping out when needed.

Happy Birthday Accessible Wales
Happy Birthday Accessible Wales

Disability Awareness Training – October 24th 2019 10am – 1pm

Disability Awareness Training – October 24th 2019 10am – 1pm

Disability Awareness Training – October 24th 2019 10am – 1pm

Do you have three hours free for a bit of personal development?  If the answer is yes, then why not register for our latest Disability Awareness training course.

The course is taking place at our office in Roberstown on Thursday 24th October 2019 10am – 1pm for only £30 per person!  Our courses aim to raise the awareness of delegates towards the needs of people with disabilities which should increase the accessibility of your service.  

To book on this training course visit here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/disability-awareness-training-half-day-course-morning-tickets-69002872449

Delegates Undertaking a Disability Awareness Quiz
Delegates Undertaking a Disability Awareness Quiz

Some of the subjects covered are:

Understanding more about disability:

Delegates will look at their own understanding of disability and how disability relates to them

Examine potential access issues and customer service scenarios:

This is activity is split into a hands-on activity looking at some potential access issues and a practical activity looking at customer service scenarios.

The right thing to say at work; to understand is to get it right:

Looking at appropriate language, the etiquette of communicating with people with disabilities.

We have many, many positive comments for all our courses, here are just some of the comment’s delegates have made when attending our training.

“I think the delivery was extremely well balanced giving both sides as to what was realistically achievable i.e. Changes are effected by budgets and what one person finds appropriate another may not. The main point to remember is communication.”

“A very pleasant course to attend. Richard and Gemma work very well together. It was informative and easy to understand.”

“Found the course informative and now feel like I have a better understanding of what to look for and to do to make things more accessible for people with disabilities.”

Principal Consultant Richard Jones about to start a training course
Principal Consultant Richard Jones about to start a training course

Hosted by Principal Consultant Richard Jones, sessions are informal, extremely informative, very emotive and at times, highly amusing!

To book visit us on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/disability-awareness-training-half-day-course-morning-tickets-69002872449 or call 01685 810432, block bookings are welcome.

You can also download a flyer with information on this training course by clicking here.  We also have training scheduled for Monday November 25th 2019 which will also take place in our office but will be 1pm – 4pm, to download a flyer for this course click here.

Disability Awareness Training coming up, at times to suit you!

Disability Awareness Training coming up, at times to suit you!

We have Disability Awareness Training coming up!

We have four training dates scheduled for September, October, November and December.  These courses are full and half day and vary in times and days to suit most diaries, and if they don’t suit your diary… let us know we can come to you!

You can download our training calendar here.

 

Principal Consultant Richard Jones working with delegates on one of the activities
Principal Consultant Richard Jones working with delegates on one of the activities
Delegates studying the layout of an accessible WC
Delegates studying the layout of an accessible WC

The first course we have scheduled is a Disability Awareness Training Full Day course on Wednesday 25th September (10am – 3pm) costing £50 per person.  You can book a place on this course by visiting our Eventbrite page.

Here’s a downloadable training flyer for this course.

The next Disability Awareness Training course is a Half Day course on Thursday 24th October 2019 (10am – 3pm) costing £30 per person.  You can book a place on this course by visiting our Eventbrite page.

Here’s a downloadable training flyer for this course.

I write to thank you for the invaluable training you have provided to our staff both at the Aberdare and Cardiff sites. Our staff thoroughly enjoyed the training sessions and found the interaction both educational and fun. Many staff members are apprehensive around training as they worry they will made to feel or look foolish – this was definitely not the case with your training and everyone came back animated and enthusiastic about the subject.

I would happy to recommend your training to anyone and will be looking to do refresher courses next year.

Lynwen Francis
Managing Partner
St John’s Medical Practice, Aberdare

This is just one of our many testimonials, you can read some more of them by visiting our training feedback here , you can also download our training brochure, this will give you information on all the training services we offer.

All our training is customisable and can be tailored to the needs of our clients.

Delegates looking at access issues that challenge people who use wheelchairs
Delegates looking at access issues that challenge people who use wheelchairs

Call us on 01685 810432Telephone Icon to find out more.

Accessible Wales Training Calendar
Accessible Wales Training Calendar 2019

November and December Training

November and December Training

November and December Training

In case you’ve missed it, we’ve got a training course coming up and we’ve got four spaces left to fill… you lucky people!  Our next training course is taking place Thursday 22nd November 1pm – 4pm and will be held in our office.  To book a place on this course click here or call us on 01685 810432.

Delegates from Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Council receiving their certificates
Delegates from Rhondda Cynon Taf and Merthyr Council receiving their certificates

We held our first training course in our new training suite in October and it went down a storm, well without too many hitches anyway!!

Feedback received from a delegate from Merthyr Council
Feedback received from a delegate from Merthyr Council

It was really nice to receive this comment on one of our feedback forms at the end of the course; this feedback was left by Leigh King, Inspire 2 Work Merthyr Tydfil Council.  Some of the other comments left were:

“Really enjoyed the informal fun course, which made everyone aware of how to deal with situations that arise when dealing with disabilities. Thank you, Richard and Gemma. Excellent” Gillian Bishop – Inspire to Work MTCBC

“Excellent delivery by Richard and Gemma. Easy to understand and informative. Highly recommend to work colleagues.” Kelly Williams, Inspire 2 Work

“Excellent course. A wide range of info provided. Particularly thought the role play scenarios were a great way to highlight different disabilities” Lesley Jones, Inspire 2 Work

Delegates Undertaking a Disability Awareness Quiz
Delegates Undertaking a Disability Awareness Quiz

If you cannot make the November course don’t fear, we’ve got a course in December!  Our December course will be held on Tuesday 11th December 10am – 1pm, again in our office in Roberstown.  To book on this course click here or call us on 01685 810432.

Delegates from Rhondda Cynon Taf Council taking part in activities
Delegates from Merthyr Council taking part in activities

Delegates from Merthyr and Rhondda Cynon Taf Councils taking part in activities

You can read all our training feedback here.

If you’d like to download information on this course and share it with friends and colleagues you can click here.

You can download our training brochure here which outlines the other courses we offer.

If you have any queries you can get in touch with us by emailing info@accessible.wales or calling 01685 810432.

Get Your Diaries Out!

Get Your Diaries Out!

Get Your Diaries Out!

Principal Consultant Richard Jones training staff from the office of the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner
Principal Consultant Richard Jones training staff from the office of the Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner

Yes, that’s right we’ve been planning our training schedule for 2018/2019!

As you know we’ve been working on our new training suite and we’re almost ready to launch it; with that in mind we’ve scheduled six in-house training courses running from September – March.

We’re offering both Full and Half day training courses at times and days to suit most diaries.  You can download our calendar here, more dates will be added throughout the year.

Our first course is a Disability Awareness Training Full Day course on Wednesday 10th October 2018 (10am – 3pm) costing £50 per person.  To book a place on this course you can purchase training places at Eventbrite here, there are ten places available.  Download more information about the course here.

Delegates looking at access issues that challenge people who use wheelchairs
Delegates looking at access issues that challenge people who use wheelchairs

Our second course is a Disability Awareness Training Half Day course on Thursday 22nd November 2018 (1pm – 4pm) costing £30 per person.  To book a place on this course you can purchase training places at Eventbrite here, there are ten places available.  Download more information about the course here.

To book on one of our courses please visit the appropriate Eventbrite page or call us on Telephone Icon 01685 810432 or email info@accessible.wales.

Delegates showing their certificates at the end of a course
Delegates showing their certificates at the end of a course

You can read our training feedback here.

If you would like us to train your staff at your venue, we can come to you!  Call us on Telephone Icon 01685 810432 to find out more.

Are you Disability Aware?

Are you Disability Aware?

Accessible Wales will be holding a Disability Awareness Training course on Thursday 21st September at the Cynon Valley Museum.  The course costs £32.45 and will run from 10am – 1pm.

Delegates on the  November 2016 Training Course with Principal Consultant Richard Jones

Delegates on the November 2016 Training Course with Principal Consultant Richard Jones

Since opening in 2010 we have built up a successful training service with our Disability Awareness Training course being our flagship course.  You can find some of our testimonials by clicking here, we’ll be adding more soon.

Richard Jones, Principal Consultant

Richard Jones, Principal Consultant

The course is facilitated by company owner and Principal Consultant Richard Jones the courses are light hearted and informative.  Delegates will be pleased to know that the training they receive will be carried out in Richard’s informal, yet informative style aimed at helping them understand disability on a practical day-to-day basis.

Lynwen Francis, Practice Manager from St John’s Medical Practice says the following about the training her staff received:

“I write to thank you for the invaluable training you have provided to our staff both at the Aberdare and Cardiff sites.  Our staff thoroughly enjoyed the training sessions and found the interaction both educational and fun.  Many staff members are apprehensive around training as they worry they will made to feel or look foolish – this was definitely not the case with your training and everyone came back animated and enthusiastic about the subject.

I would happy to recommend your training to anyone and will be looking to do refresher courses next year.”

Even if you’ve attended similar courses before, this course is one that you should have under your belt to help you with your professional and personal development.  Whether you’re a taxi driver, a politician or professor this course will benefit you!

To book a place on this course visit here, alternatively you can email us for more information.  Block bookings can be catered for, we can also train your staff/volunteers/members at your venue.  Get in touch for more information.

Disability Awareness Training, Thursday 21st September

Naidex 2017 – A Review

Naidex 2017 – A Review

On Wednesday 29th March I along with volunteers from Accessible News attended the Naidex Exhibition which took place in the NEC in Birmingham.  With over 150 seminars, 250 exhibitors and an abundance of live demos and interactive features it was a tremendous event.

I have attended this event a couple of times before, once when I was studying in college and later with my mother through the RCT Carers Support Project.

Accessible WC in the car park of the Birmingham NEC

Accessible WC in the car park of the Birmingham NEC

I was inspired with confidence when, after arriving at the venue and parking the car, I noticed an accessible toilet in the car park.  Now I know as an exhibition concentrated on all aspects of disability and impairments you’d expect accessibility, but how often are people with disabilities let down…. Not in this case!

Accessible WC door showing disability is not just about wheelchairs

Accessible WC door showing disability is not just about wheelchairs

The second thing, on a similar theme I noticed was the sign on the accessible WC door was the sign highlighting that not all people with disabilities use wheelchairs, something that is backed up by a recent campaign we ran on facebook.  With over 718 shares on our campaign and 1400 likes we were spurred on to change our logo to adopt the positive “thumbs up” as opposed to the traditional wheelchair.

The Magic Carpet Exhibit

The Magic Carpet Exhibit

The exhibitors that were on display were phenomenal, with stalls ranging from funky customised walking sticks and mobility aids to fluffy and cool wheelchairs for children.  The shift in stalls from the gadgets and gizmos last time I went up, to mobile phone based app products and sensory equipment (such as the exhibit above) was tremendous, it shows the way technology was advancing.

Made 2 Aid Electronic Neater Eater

Made 2 Aid Electronic Neater Eater

There were great devices such as this robotic arm that fed people who could not feed themselves.

Testing the magic knife

Testing the magic knife

As a keen foodie and founder of wheeliegoodmeals.co.uk I was interested to see the magic knife, it was a knife that needed very little pressure to cut through everything from bread, tomatoes and Swede.

Changing Places accessible changing room

Changing Places accessible changing room

I have read a lot in recent times about Changing Places the campaign for fully accessible toilets, and was impressed that there was a fully accessible changing facility in the exhibition hall.  This facility had a tracking hoist, bed and accessible WC, and enough room for easy manoeuvrability.

Sports area

Sports area

The exhibition also had a large sports arena allowing people to try wheelchair football and Goalball for people with visual impairments (amongst other activities)… I may have to have a go next time!

Wheelchair accessible motorhome from Coachbuild

Wheelchair accessible motorhome from Coachbuild

The last thing we looked at was a wheelchair accessible motorhome from Coachbuild, something that was inspirational.  With a wide range of features that could be interchanged to make it accessible to people with a range of disabilities it was a sight to behold.

I would recommend the exhibition to anyone, we’ve learned a lot through our visit.  While there is a huge amount of bespoke technology created to help people with disabilities, there are a vast amount of organisations customising everyday products to make them accessible.

To view our photo album click here.  Thanks for reading, come back soon to find out more about what we’re up to.

 

 

Richard Jones

Principal Consultant.

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